African School of Physics 2024: https://indico.cern.ch/event/1417241/ 
Topical Session: Fundamental Physics in North Africa 

Panel Discussion

Role of large collaborations:

• Does the benefit outweigh the cost? Are they the right entry point for building research?
  • Large highly technical research infrastructure doesn’t just facilitate science, but develops industry
• Lots of physics to be done with tabletop experiments still: could be lower entry point 

Pan-Africanism

•  Is a focus on North Africa well-defined and/or useful? North Africa faces the same challenges as many other African nations
• Could North African countries combine resources in a single North African institute ? 
  • Enables larger impact 
• Importance of peace between countries: past scientific agreements fell apart due to diplomatic/governmental issues 
  • Work to enhance involvement of scientists in public policy/government activities?  
•  Future research centers: funded by African Union, modeled after CERN
  • ICTP: Tried to get an ICTP Centre of Excellence for many years in North Africa 
  • TODO revisit concept of AIMS or ICTP Center in  North Africa? 

Funding 

• Jacqueline Smith (DOE): emphasis on maintaining connection among key players in HEP Africa and globally (lab directors, research personnel, etc.)
  • Engage more with US agencies (Department of Energy, Department of State): opportunities to both train in the US but also support in country.
• Funding from other countries (US, ICTP, EU, etc.) can get things started but can’t sustain a real effort in Africa: need local funding support as well
  • TODO:  pool funding/traineeship opportunities and make this list publicly available